Graphic Design Degrees

If there’s a degree that could be considered an industry standard, a bachelor’s degree would be it. It’s the most popular degree earned every year. A survey of the 2006-07 school year by the National Center for Education Statistics found that 1,524,092 bachelor’s degrees requiring four or five years of study were conferred. In contrast, 604,607 master’s degrees were conferred in the same period, and 60,616 doctoral degrees. A bachelor’s degree is a common choice because it’s usually the best way to learn about a field before seeking employment.

It should be noted, though, that the four or five years mentioned above refers to full-time students. If you’re getting your degree online, there’s a chance you’re taking a smaller course load than a full-time student would, maybe if you’re going to school while also holding down a full-time job. As such, it will likely take you longer than four years to attain your online bachelor’s degree in graphic design, but the time investment will be worth it for what it can do for your career.

A bachelor’s degree is a thorough program designed to prepare you for just about everything the working world will throw at you, which is one of the reasons it’s so popular. There are roughly three main areas into which classes can be grouped for this degree: traditional, digital, and professional. The traditional courses are what you’d expect to find in any graphic design program, and are similar to those offered in the certificate and associate’s programs except they dig deeper into the field. For instance, you’ll study photography, ranging from the finer points of taking photos to the best ways to process them and use them within the context of ads or brochures to meet a client’s needs. There are also classes in drawing and illustration that will enhance your visualization skills and teach you to create images that can be refined during the creation process with other designers.

The digital area deals with the new-media tools that graphic designers need to know in order to succeed in today’s technologically driven environment. It’s virtually impossible to find a job in the field without being skilled at digital photo manipulation and the use of software to create everything from Web sites to corporate logos. An online bachelor’s degree in graphic design will teach you what you need to know about using the computer to accomplish a myriad of design tasks that weren’t even possible a few years ago. You’ll also learn how to package designs online and create appealing visual products for online distribution.

You’ll also focus on the professional preparation to enter the working world by creating a design portfolio and working on upper-level capstone projects that utilize everything you’ve learned while attaining your bachelor’s degree and that will demonstrate to employers what you’re capable of doing. You’ll also have the chance to participate in an internship, something that’s harder to find in an associate’s degree program. A bachelor’s degree is a fantastic way to learn about graphic design and prepare yourself for the road ahead.